Finding Contentment in a Discontented World
Imagine finally arriving at your dream vacation destination, only to have your excitement and relaxation shattered by arguing children and a leaky bathroom faucet. It’s a scenario that’s all too familiar for many of us. We crave contentment and fulfillment, but it always seems just out of reach.
As the great NFL player Tom Brady once said, “The next one” is always the most desirable – whether it’s a Super Bowl ring or something else we’re striving for. This mindset is a hallmark of human experience: we’re always chasing after something more, never quite satisfied with what we have.
But what if we’re looking for contentment in all the wrong places? What if our pursuit of happiness and fulfillment is actually leading us further away from true satisfaction?
The Source of Contentment
In his book, Erik Raymond establishes that contentment is not something we find in our circumstances, but rather in God himself. As Christians, we must remember that God is sovereign, working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). He is the source of our contentment, and we must prioritize our relationship with him above all else.
Three Keys to Cultivating Contentment
- Remember who God is: Like the Israelites in the wilderness, our grumbling often reveals what we believe about God. We must recall that God is sovereign, wise, and working to restore all things.
- Submit your preferences to God’s wisdom: If our circumstances aren’t according to our preferences, we must submit to God’s plan. Remember that God is working to restore all things, even when we can’t see it.
- Focus on what you already have: Make a list of everything you have that you don’t deserve, and then make a list of everything you deserve that you don’t have. This helps us see things in perspective and cultivates gratitude.
A Life of Contentment
Contentment is not something we achieve once and for all; it’s a mindset we must cultivate regularly. By prioritizing our relationship with God and focusing on what we already have, we can learn to be content in any circumstance.
As Mark Dever quipped, “Anything less than hell is dancing time for Christians!” May we never forget the mercy and love that God has shown us, and may we strive to live a life of contentment in him.
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